Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Mark Crowley's most recent Letter to editor -- ran in Trib
Mark Crowley wrote:
I had a LTE today (2/13/2007) in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review about a hot topic -- global warming. It was in response to a Bill Steigerwald Q&A interview with a climatologist who is skeptical that global warming is a man-made phenomenon. I offered some libertarian reinforcement to an astute political observation noting how well it fits the standard big government template.
Global foolery, Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Climatologist Timothy Ball made an astute observation about the strategy shift that sunspot-deniers are applying to global warming ("The politics of global warming," Q&A, Feb. 10 and PghTrib.com).
He noticed they "switched from talking about global warming to talking about climate change." That's chillingly familiar.
Remember how Osama bin Laden morphed into Saddam Hussein? Or how the mission switched from finding WMDs to freeing Iraq? Or when border security became citizen surveillance?
Next, politicians will put carbon dioxide on the altar of unending wars alongside terrorism, drugs, smoking, trans fat, etc. Expect a new Cabinet-level Department of Hot Air.
Also expect the Department of Education to require that "Greenland" be renamed "Glacierland" to rewrite an inconvenient history about that island's more moderate climate around 1000 A.D.
If the temperature cools rapidly over the next decade, government will proclaim "Mission Accomplished." Do you think, however, that dismantling misguided government programs stands a snowball's chance?
While global warming deserves debate, there's no debate why big government supporters are hot for global warming.
Mark Crowley, Plum
Monday, February 12, 2007
Save Ohio Swimming and Diving
Please sign this electronic petition.
Save Ohio Swimming and Diving Ohio Swimming and Diving
'Dedicated to preserving our Tradition.'
Tonight at 11, news by neighbors / Santa Rosa TV station fires news staff, to ask local folks to provide programming
Who is looking over his / her shoulder at this wave of citizen journalism now?
News executives are scared as hell. Media owners are now in the game because of ego or other reasons, beyond profits of the status quo. When musical chairs means the folks with the cameras and microphones are given pink slips -- things get more and more weird.
Perhaps I'll file a story there.
Trust is a big word thought the article. But, what happens when a the City Paper article on "Going to the local Political Blogs" omits early arrivals? Is that any way to build trust? GrassRootsPA's blog started years ago in Pittsburgh by a D.U. student. That site is a hub for local content harvesting.
Tonight at 11, news by neighbors / Santa Rosa TV station fires news staff, to ask local folks to provide programming Tonight at 11, news by neighborsThis is good news and bad news.
Santa Rosa TV station fires news staff, to ask local folks to provide programming
News executives are scared as hell. Media owners are now in the game because of ego or other reasons, beyond profits of the status quo. When musical chairs means the folks with the cameras and microphones are given pink slips -- things get more and more weird.
Perhaps I'll file a story there.
Trust is a big word thought the article. But, what happens when a the City Paper article on "Going to the local Political Blogs" omits early arrivals? Is that any way to build trust? GrassRootsPA's blog started years ago in Pittsburgh by a D.U. student. That site is a hub for local content harvesting.
Mark Roosevelt on the web with Jon Delano -- fine programming
It was great to be able to watch the Sunday Business Edition on KDKA TV on the web. Nice use of technology and video blogging to sustain the conversation.
My note to J.D.:
Thanks for the interview with Mark Roosevelt. I watched online. Nice.
IMHO, the Pittsburgh Promise is a bold face lie. We can't get the respect of the kids when they know they are being lied to.
Roosevelt will be gone before this proves to be but a dream. (Nothing personal. Fact: The average job tenure for school superintendents is about three years. These guys and gals come and go faster than a rash of pink eye.)
Plus, the city's student population is departing as well.
Furthermore, the stessing of discipline is welcomed. But, why wait until next year?
This is the year of the lie and next year the year to be stern?
Another Supplemental Spending Bill for the War in Iraq
Another Supplemental Spending Bill for the War in Iraq Congress continues to spend more than the Treasury raises in taxes year after year, by borrowing money abroad or simply printing it. Paying for war with credit is reckless and stupid, but paying for war by depreciating our currency is criminal.
'Redding-up' abandoned houses taking longer than city expected
'Redding-up' abandoned houses taking longer than city expected List of condemned properties gets longerWhere is that list? Does anyone have a pointer to it on the web?
Does anyone have a list of streets and roads that need to be re-paved this year?
What about the list of the more urgent "to-do" matters that come from the city's 3-1-1 line.
Where is the list of what the redd-up crew did yesterday, last week, last month? If there isn't a list of things still to do, is there at least a list of things that has been done?
Who is keeping a record?
Is there a list of equipment, cars and trucks that are sitting in the garage? How are the repairs from the privatized garage progressing? How is the back-log today? What about those expenses?
Is there a list of what repairs are needed to be done at the various summer recreation spots? What is on the capital expense budget? What is going to be done at the RAD Parks? What pools are going to be open? What repairs are going to be made at the pools.
Is there a list of all the schools that are owned by the city and still not sold to the URA? Is there a list of all the closed schools? Is there a list of schools that are going to move from open to closed or closed to open? How many school facilities are on that list? What facilities might be sold and what are worth keeping? Why?
Who is keeping a list of local experts that should be included on the new Allegheny County committee (whatever) for advancing the democratic process. Seems that the board of elections is going to have a new booster group, of sorts. That's great. Who keeps the list as to who is on and who is off.
Where is the list of Authorities, Commissions and Task Forces in city, county and school agencies. Where is the list of people who are on those boards? Where is the list of people that have been nominated but not put on the boards? Where is the quorum for the Hearing Ethics Board -- and why are the minutes for that entity not public?
The PROPEL Pittsburgh committee (for the youth movement) is about to be born. Who gets picked? Who keeps the list?
Santa Clause checks his list twice. I'd love to see more lists put out into the open.
Is PAT going to issue a list of suggestions it has received at the recent round of public hearings? What suggestions got favorable reactions and have been implemented? What are slated to come into being? What are judged, by PAT, to be bogus?
What supplies are needed to board up a vacant home?
Why do we need a list of property owners of rental properties when we have a recorder of deeds? Can't the lists of the property owners show how to contact landlords?
Where is the list of properties that are owned by the city?
Where is the list of property leins that are on the buy back list? The city is going to spend a few millions, pennies on the dollar, to buy back the leins on various proeprties -- but that list hasn't seen the light of day, to my knowledge.
What properties are for sale in the city, by the city?
Where can someone find a master list of all the rental properties in the city?
What happens when a house is boarded up and a family of four needs shelter from the cold, enters a house, a fire occurs, and lives are lost as the folks can't get back out -- like the recent story in Philly?
Is there a list of abandoned homes that are not really abandoned?
I want a list of lists. I want the lists to be thoughtful and graded. Lists should be linked.
Sadly, I fear that city council and the mayor's office -- as well as the workers of the city -- are each running in circles trying to catch their own tails. Perhaps catching one's own tail is overboard. Some running is to 'CYA' (cover your ass). Other bits of running is to put out fires. Other jogs aim to cover up or complicate.
No doubt, everyone cares. However, who cares to manage and post the list makters? Can those lists be put online?
Platform.For-Pgh.org
Candidate branding from the John Edwards '08 Blog
Branding is a favorite topic of a past chairman of the Allegheney County Libertarian Party, J.E.
Join the Campaign to Change America / John Edwards '08 Blog ... active website communities, and are clearly benefiting from the Internet. But that really isn’t the answer to anything.In this article, the concept of the candidate brand goes beyond party brand.
What matters is that they both have active public personae which draw the public to the candidates, and then their communities.
Personae that are based around emotional issues (global climate change, poverty); bringing a human element to both “candidates”. (I include Gore as he may or may not enter this or a future campaign.)
Talk Radio 93.7 Needs To Think Big
For 93.7 FM in Pittsburgh to be taken seriously as a talk station, management must do something bold. Pioneer News talk 104.7 FM has a fabulous lineup with locals Quinn and Rose, but virtually everything else is syndicated (Ellis Cannon, of course does the sports talk thing from town). Granted, if the rumor mill is true, the introduction of both Scott Paulsen and John McIntyre will be a good start. Both are among the most talented talkers in the market.
But alas, the talk market industries’s most intelligent, most diverse—stop with the hyperbole—the unrivaled best talk show host ever to click on a microphone continues to sit on a sprawling fixer-upper estate in one of the farthest southern suburbs of Allegheny County.
Open the checkbook for Jerry Bowyer.
The NFL now has Golden Boy Bill Cowher sitting out a no-compete clause to become perhaps a $10 million dollar (a year) coach. Cowher’s legacy will only balloon; his legendary chin will jut just a little further, much like Paul Bunyan and the blue ox Babe.
Talk radio, Pittsburgh chat radio in particular, has its own Golden Boy waiting in the wings. Jerry Bowyer first appeared on the scene as the head honcho of the Allegheny Institute for Public Policy ten years ago. He led the drive to knock down a ½ percent sales tax increase in Allegheny County and nearly a dozen other neighboring counties. The money was supposed to pay for two new stadiums and infrastructure around the region.
I have a confession: early on I despised Jerry Bowyer. He seemingly didn’t care that my beloved Pirates—the primary reason I declare as the reason I moved here nearly 17 years ago—would possibly leave town for greener, albeit still losing pastures.
I WAS WRONG.
Around the time of that near-debacle, Jerry started to fill in on 1360 WPTT, (although he might have started earlier on an AM religious station), and showed some real talk show chops. His personality and knowledge of virtually every hot-button talk show chestnut converted me from ideological opponent to aficionado.
Before you knew it, Jerry was on full-time. It was then you got to know him and his encyclopedic knowledge of everything from the minutia of science to politics, as well as cartoon trivia. Then there was his mastery of economic theories and business, most accepted religions, and a rather lofty insight regarding Hollywood starlets. For a guy with a complicated relationship with baseball (his father was a MLB scout), Bowyer could cover all of the bases.
On the show, Jerry would often dismantle usually adroit talk show guests who got too persnickety. Bowyer could make polished fiscal pariah “Living Wage” union boilerplaters sputter and froth, thus showing their true colors as selfish, under-educated, special-interest cretins. I was so impressed with one particular verbal disrobing that I called Jerry to proclaim the interview was a comedic send-up.
It wasn’t.
Because of that admiration and my eventual offer to write a feature story, Jerry and I became somewhat friendly. Over the next few years, I ended up writing two lengthy pieces on him and his show for a couple of periodicals. Our budding friendship expanded to the point in which we worked together to bring a business and entrepreneurial charter school to Pittsburgh’s southern neighborhoods, but were ultimately sold a bad bill of goods from our sponsor. For the record, that company never did roll out their ambitious plan for several local Charter Schools, and the one it does run here is virtually invisible of the learning landscape.
We’ve communicated about collaborating on a book about leadership and nearly got into the television business together.
And on an even more personal note, Jerry proved to me that a religious man could still enjoy those potty-mouthed brats on South Park. I don’t think I would have had the confidence to return to church had it not been for his masterful ability to make religion seem “cool.”
It was Jerry’s desire to add more religious talk to his secular radio show that ultimately made him move from his comfortable post at WPTT AM to the Christian FM-talker in town. I remember him saying that he thought he could make more of a difference in an arena where he could focus on the Good Book. Apparently, that move bit him in the posterior when management there didn’t want him to deviate from the all-religion talk, even for important regional issues.
In addition to trouble with format content, health issues have also plagued Bowyer in recent years, as a result he’s retreated to the sidelines, to be with his beloved wife Susan and seven children, who the couple home-schools and/or runs various family businesses. It’s also possible that Bowyer’s made outlandish sums of money by utilizing financial techniques he’s cultivated with some of the best brains in the marketplace.
I have no idea whether Jerry would even contemplate a return to the airwaves. Perhaps 93.7 could build him a studio in his home, ala the persistently-injured and vastly overrated Fred Honsberger.
If the folks at 93.7 want to do something incredible, and revolutionary, with its impending talk show venture, they need to at put out some feelers with Jerry Bowyer.
Seriously.
But alas, the talk market industries’s most intelligent, most diverse—stop with the hyperbole—the unrivaled best talk show host ever to click on a microphone continues to sit on a sprawling fixer-upper estate in one of the farthest southern suburbs of Allegheny County.
Open the checkbook for Jerry Bowyer.
The NFL now has Golden Boy Bill Cowher sitting out a no-compete clause to become perhaps a $10 million dollar (a year) coach. Cowher’s legacy will only balloon; his legendary chin will jut just a little further, much like Paul Bunyan and the blue ox Babe.
Talk radio, Pittsburgh chat radio in particular, has its own Golden Boy waiting in the wings. Jerry Bowyer first appeared on the scene as the head honcho of the Allegheny Institute for Public Policy ten years ago. He led the drive to knock down a ½ percent sales tax increase in Allegheny County and nearly a dozen other neighboring counties. The money was supposed to pay for two new stadiums and infrastructure around the region.
I have a confession: early on I despised Jerry Bowyer. He seemingly didn’t care that my beloved Pirates—the primary reason I declare as the reason I moved here nearly 17 years ago—would possibly leave town for greener, albeit still losing pastures.
I WAS WRONG.
Around the time of that near-debacle, Jerry started to fill in on 1360 WPTT, (although he might have started earlier on an AM religious station), and showed some real talk show chops. His personality and knowledge of virtually every hot-button talk show chestnut converted me from ideological opponent to aficionado.
Before you knew it, Jerry was on full-time. It was then you got to know him and his encyclopedic knowledge of everything from the minutia of science to politics, as well as cartoon trivia. Then there was his mastery of economic theories and business, most accepted religions, and a rather lofty insight regarding Hollywood starlets. For a guy with a complicated relationship with baseball (his father was a MLB scout), Bowyer could cover all of the bases.
On the show, Jerry would often dismantle usually adroit talk show guests who got too persnickety. Bowyer could make polished fiscal pariah “Living Wage” union boilerplaters sputter and froth, thus showing their true colors as selfish, under-educated, special-interest cretins. I was so impressed with one particular verbal disrobing that I called Jerry to proclaim the interview was a comedic send-up.
It wasn’t.
Because of that admiration and my eventual offer to write a feature story, Jerry and I became somewhat friendly. Over the next few years, I ended up writing two lengthy pieces on him and his show for a couple of periodicals. Our budding friendship expanded to the point in which we worked together to bring a business and entrepreneurial charter school to Pittsburgh’s southern neighborhoods, but were ultimately sold a bad bill of goods from our sponsor. For the record, that company never did roll out their ambitious plan for several local Charter Schools, and the one it does run here is virtually invisible of the learning landscape.
We’ve communicated about collaborating on a book about leadership and nearly got into the television business together.
And on an even more personal note, Jerry proved to me that a religious man could still enjoy those potty-mouthed brats on South Park. I don’t think I would have had the confidence to return to church had it not been for his masterful ability to make religion seem “cool.”
It was Jerry’s desire to add more religious talk to his secular radio show that ultimately made him move from his comfortable post at WPTT AM to the Christian FM-talker in town. I remember him saying that he thought he could make more of a difference in an arena where he could focus on the Good Book. Apparently, that move bit him in the posterior when management there didn’t want him to deviate from the all-religion talk, even for important regional issues.
In addition to trouble with format content, health issues have also plagued Bowyer in recent years, as a result he’s retreated to the sidelines, to be with his beloved wife Susan and seven children, who the couple home-schools and/or runs various family businesses. It’s also possible that Bowyer’s made outlandish sums of money by utilizing financial techniques he’s cultivated with some of the best brains in the marketplace.
I have no idea whether Jerry would even contemplate a return to the airwaves. Perhaps 93.7 could build him a studio in his home, ala the persistently-injured and vastly overrated Fred Honsberger.
If the folks at 93.7 want to do something incredible, and revolutionary, with its impending talk show venture, they need to at put out some feelers with Jerry Bowyer.
Seriously.
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Blast from the past: Pooling your resources
The movie, Pride, is due in a matter of weeks -- and we're getting psyched. Here is an older article about a clinic that I helped to organize. This fellow visited with our kids at the city meet and at zones. He had been a swimmer in LA. But he grew up in Cleveland.
Pooling your resources Pooling your resources
Olympic hopeful urges local youths to live up to their potential
Sunday, August 15, 1999
By Laura Pace, Post-Gazette Staff Writer
Byron Davis doesn't believe in victims.The 29-year-old Olympic hopeful looks into the faces of children and tells them, time and time again, that the key to life is choice.
Will lethargic GOP put up mayoral candidate in the 'Burgh? - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Will lethargic GOP put up mayoral candidate in the 'Burgh? - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Will the Republicans, whose mayoral hopefuls usually perform as sturdily as Silly Putty, bother to field a candidate this year?Another little asked question that I still want to have answered, before jumping to the Mayor's race, is will the City's GOP Party file papers to get a question about the reduction of the size of city council onto the ballot?
This opens up a big can of worms about ballot access -- another teachable, insightful moment.
A similar interaction happens with the postings at 2politicaljunkies and purdent spending, agendas, principles, practices and standing tall.
Colaizzi seeks seat on city council
Stepping stone. There has to be a song about this????
I don't like our kids being used as stepping stones. I think that an elected posiion on the Pgh Public School's board should be terminal. A change in the city's charter is in order. Once one is a school board member, he or she should NOT be eligible to run for any other elected post. Board members would not be eligible for the ballot for a period of five years following their exit from the school board seat. Then, people will serve on the school board for the right reasons. Then the tone and mission of the board would change to everyone's favor -- not just that of the special interests and powerful.
The move from Colaizzi is a brush back pitch to C. O'Connor. That isn't a bad thing.
Finally, for now, I can't get that whispy bangs comment (from aother blogger) out of my head given that T.C. is a hairdresser.
I don't like our kids being used as stepping stones. I think that an elected posiion on the Pgh Public School's board should be terminal. A change in the city's charter is in order. Once one is a school board member, he or she should NOT be eligible to run for any other elected post. Board members would not be eligible for the ballot for a period of five years following their exit from the school board seat. Then, people will serve on the school board for the right reasons. Then the tone and mission of the board would change to everyone's favor -- not just that of the special interests and powerful.
Colaizzi seeks seat on city council Pittsburgh school board member Theresa Colaizzi yesterday said she will challenge City Council President Doug Shields in the May 15 primary.I understand that my wish is but a fleeting prayer.
Ms. Colaizzi, 46, of Greenfield, said she would ask the Allegheny County Democratic Committee to endorse her in the District 5 council race. Mr. Shields is seeking re-election to council, but he's also running for city controller.
Ms. Colaizzi is serving her second term on the school board.
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| From a PIIN meeting in the past. people & vips |
The move from Colaizzi is a brush back pitch to C. O'Connor. That isn't a bad thing.
Finally, for now, I can't get that whispy bangs comment (from aother blogger) out of my head given that T.C. is a hairdresser.
Love? Nooooo. Sweetheart deal more like cheap tease. Rather have a ...
Free parking in the city on the evening of Feb 14 is one of the last things that the city needs to provide. The deed is sorta like giving an overweight, diabetic great aunt a big box of chocolates in a red-shaped box. Stupid yet sentimental.
There are a lot of bad ideas that would be slightly better than the free parking display of 'love' from the city. Let's give credit where credit is due. It is better to do something. There is merit to having bleeding heart liberals mark a day where wearing red and wishig for cupid's arrival, based upon a religious Saint's Feast, is marked.
Slightly better would be the hiring of private ambassadors from the PDP to direct downtown office workers on ways around the drunks in Market Square after making eye contact and winking at passers by.
I'm sure Ms. Mon's suggested a V.D. idea of wet kisses from crossing guards and elected politicians stationed at corners throughout the city, to stem the speeding traffic, would have been deemed too much of a gotcha / come on with drunken driver liability.
Pittgirl's ideas can't be re-typed here, as this is a family blog.
Another idea floated on Grant Street was to have political bloggers run heart shaped pretzels out to tug operators as they chugged up the river, unclogging the arteries of commerce, showing gratitude after a thaw.
Yes, I think that the Parking Authority should be sold. I've stated that plank for years.
It would be much better to sell the Parking Authority than the PA Turnpike and the water pipes under the city's streets.
Then the city could establish a parking department to manage the meters, enforcement and be accountable.
New parking garages would be built with private investments again. Parking rates would climb.
There are a lot of bad ideas that would be slightly better than the free parking display of 'love' from the city. Let's give credit where credit is due. It is better to do something. There is merit to having bleeding heart liberals mark a day where wearing red and wishig for cupid's arrival, based upon a religious Saint's Feast, is marked.
Slightly better would be the hiring of private ambassadors from the PDP to direct downtown office workers on ways around the drunks in Market Square after making eye contact and winking at passers by.
I'm sure Ms. Mon's suggested a V.D. idea of wet kisses from crossing guards and elected politicians stationed at corners throughout the city, to stem the speeding traffic, would have been deemed too much of a gotcha / come on with drunken driver liability.
Pittgirl's ideas can't be re-typed here, as this is a family blog.
Another idea floated on Grant Street was to have political bloggers run heart shaped pretzels out to tug operators as they chugged up the river, unclogging the arteries of commerce, showing gratitude after a thaw.
Getting Around: City loves yinz, offers free Valentine's evening parking Getting Around: City loves yinz, offers free Valentine's evening parkingI'd rather just tell the world that Pittsburgh's parking tax will be dropped to 15%, (not 50%, nor 45%, etc.) as soon as 75% the Parking Authority garages and assets are sold and its final 25% of assets are proven to be on the market.
Sunday, February 11, 2007
By Joe Grata, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Wednesday is Valentine's Day. Pittsburgh wants to show how much it loves yinz by offering a sweetheart deal: free parking.
Yes, I think that the Parking Authority should be sold. I've stated that plank for years.
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| From china - bike |
It would be much better to sell the Parking Authority than the PA Turnpike and the water pipes under the city's streets.
Then the city could establish a parking department to manage the meters, enforcement and be accountable.
New parking garages would be built with private investments again. Parking rates would climb.
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Name dropping: Twice this week
So I'm watching cable cast of city council's post agenda meeting on city technology and possible plans for wi-fi at 9:45 pm, flipping back and forth with MIB II, and Councilman Bill Peduto drops my name.
At the meeting this Thursday he gave me a mention as well, when I was in the council chambers. Then they were talking about the merger of the purchasing deparments between city and county. He said citizens have an interest in how things are being done and want to offer input as I have mentioned repeatedly in the past.
Okay. Okay.
Yes, I do want to see the "Power Point." I guess it is available from Bill's web page.
So, it is clear I don't have much to do on a Saturday night with my wife and kids in New England for the first edition of a memorial for grandpa. I'm home alone. Most of the day I was coaching a swim meet, as we hosted Grove City in our last dual of the winter season.
What did I learn:
Seems that there are about 4,000 wi-fi sessions a month with the PDP's network downtown. Many are 'double-dipping' and that new software is going to come on-line to help prevent that. The system allows for 2-hours of free access. I guess spare usernames and passwords are being used, often by the same individuals. Beats me. I wouldn't use wi-fi on an unsecure network -- except to surf or stream as a faceless user.
Seems that there is a rash of vandals who bash parking meeters to rip off the quarters.
There are more than 60 police cars with wi-fi and they pay $50 or so a month. Must be via cellular connections now. The number will double in the months to come. A city-wide wi-fi might save 200 units x $50 = $10,000 per month or $120,000 per year. That puts a dent into the $5-million start-up.
However, does this mean that the vandals that are smashing parking meeters to get quarters would climb telephone poles to pinch wi-fi's digital dust?
I'd much rather use an octopus card rather than a credit card for parking meter fees. We should be doing Octupus Card technology for fares and transactions around town. Then Pittsburgh would be a leader in North America.
Bill Peduto wants to get 'credit' for the winkles they've put out in the planning of wi-fi documents that have yet to materialize in RFPs. Boston lifted sections from what was talked about in Pittsburgh. To me, that is still a good thing. To some, it isn't -- I guess. Well, if we rolled out an Octopus Card in Pittsburgh, like they already have in Hong Kong and Netherlands, then Boston could CONTRACT with Pittsburgh's tech providers -- creating an industry here.
It is nice to know when the next bus arrives, and when the next stop arrives -- via a consumer scoreboard display utility built upon GPS. But, that brings us back to those damaged parking meters. How would they last in a bus shelter? It would be better to work upon the toll collection component first, i.e., Octopus Card.
If you're not sure what I mean when ranting about Octopus Cards, search this blog.
At the meeting this Thursday he gave me a mention as well, when I was in the council chambers. Then they were talking about the merger of the purchasing deparments between city and county. He said citizens have an interest in how things are being done and want to offer input as I have mentioned repeatedly in the past.
Okay. Okay.
Yes, I do want to see the "Power Point." I guess it is available from Bill's web page.
So, it is clear I don't have much to do on a Saturday night with my wife and kids in New England for the first edition of a memorial for grandpa. I'm home alone. Most of the day I was coaching a swim meet, as we hosted Grove City in our last dual of the winter season.
What did I learn:
Seems that there are about 4,000 wi-fi sessions a month with the PDP's network downtown. Many are 'double-dipping' and that new software is going to come on-line to help prevent that. The system allows for 2-hours of free access. I guess spare usernames and passwords are being used, often by the same individuals. Beats me. I wouldn't use wi-fi on an unsecure network -- except to surf or stream as a faceless user.
 |
| Double decker isn't same as double dips Wi-Fi. From Pens Village |
Seems that there is a rash of vandals who bash parking meeters to rip off the quarters.
There are more than 60 police cars with wi-fi and they pay $50 or so a month. Must be via cellular connections now. The number will double in the months to come. A city-wide wi-fi might save 200 units x $50 = $10,000 per month or $120,000 per year. That puts a dent into the $5-million start-up.
However, does this mean that the vandals that are smashing parking meeters to get quarters would climb telephone poles to pinch wi-fi's digital dust?
I'd much rather use an octopus card rather than a credit card for parking meter fees. We should be doing Octupus Card technology for fares and transactions around town. Then Pittsburgh would be a leader in North America.
Bill Peduto wants to get 'credit' for the winkles they've put out in the planning of wi-fi documents that have yet to materialize in RFPs. Boston lifted sections from what was talked about in Pittsburgh. To me, that is still a good thing. To some, it isn't -- I guess. Well, if we rolled out an Octopus Card in Pittsburgh, like they already have in Hong Kong and Netherlands, then Boston could CONTRACT with Pittsburgh's tech providers -- creating an industry here.
It is nice to know when the next bus arrives, and when the next stop arrives -- via a consumer scoreboard display utility built upon GPS. But, that brings us back to those damaged parking meters. How would they last in a bus shelter? It would be better to work upon the toll collection component first, i.e., Octopus Card.
If you're not sure what I mean when ranting about Octopus Cards, search this blog.
Free Curricula Center
Free Curricula Center The Free Curricula Center (FCC) helps students worldwide reach their educational potential by producing and distributing university-level curricula that can be copied freely and modified cooperatively.
Low Impact Woodland Home
What would the building inspector say about this home?
A Low Impact Woodland Home ... house was built with maximum regard for the environment and by reciprocation gives us a unique opportunity to live close to nature.
Blah, Blah, Blah -- the 3-1-1 line didn't work but the Trib did
More gets done when nobody takes the credit. But when nothing is getting done, SHOUT. Shout to the MSM. Shout to the podium at city council. Shout to bloggers. Shout to opponents.
This should be the year where follow-through occurs. Two weeks ago we were to have two meetings of the defunct by design Ethics Review Board. But when the dates of the meetings arrive -- the board still doesn't meet.
They blinked.
Repeated requests of citizens went without action of the city.
This should be the year where follow-through occurs. Two weeks ago we were to have two meetings of the defunct by design Ethics Review Board. But when the dates of the meetings arrive -- the board still doesn't meet.
They blinked.
City de-ices Hazelwood house's problem leak - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Pittsburgh's 'redd up' crews Friday shattered a threatening mass of ice that was growing from a vacant Hazelwood home.This is sad. This is a trend. The other house in Hazlewood burned and cause damage to other houses that were NOT empty -- until then.
Fed by a leaky water pipe inside the house on Orinoco Street, the ice threatened to flood Beryl Powers' home next door on Steele Court.
Powers, 69, complained repeatedly about the problem to the city's 311 response line since Jan. 29, but received no satisfaction.
A story published yesterday in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review illustrated Powers' problem and spurred city officials to respond quickly.
Repeated requests of citizens went without action of the city.
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Cash Is King thread among political calls for a slate
LibertySlate08 has been talking about 'cash is king' in terms of candidates. My reply to them:
I've got an approach with finances and being a candidate.
Rule #1. Don't burn out.
Rule #2. Don't spend what you don't have.
Keep balance in your life. Keep your day job. Keep your spouse, kids and care to your aging relations in good order. And, be prudent.
Stand for office. Don't run for it.
Announce early. Make time on your side. It is hard to play catch-up when you are so far behind but have so little to invest and such a long spot at getting elected.
If you want the job and the pay check -- get into the dominant party.
I know I can't win the seat as a Libertarian. But, I can win the war on ideas. I can win on the Internet. I can win on certain media cycles. I can win in a debate. And, many of my ideas are going to be embraced by my challengers -- if not this time, then next.
I can get into the race and make the race affordable for others.
I can get into the race and shape the discussions. When something stupid is said -- it won't be repeated when I'm in the race. They'll have to come up with new material -- and they do -- the next night or press release. I can counter then and there -- at the candidate forum. Or, with a press release of my own. And, I document things for history's sake once they get elected -- as my job isn't done after election day.
I think a challenger needs to fight the campaign on both the rational and emotional fronts. There are times for each. Schmooze at a social event. Be academic at the times when its called for. Know your audience. Go with the flow. Give respect -- and then you get respect.
Finally -- the internet is where we need to thrive.
There used to be a concept of the "paper campaign" or "paper candidate." Now it is a digital candidate.
And with podcasting and blogs -- this can be a time to put up a good challenge without going to spend a life's fortune.
Get a trusted crew of others. TRUSTED crew. Your friends hurt you worse than your enemies. Everyone needs "running mates." You'll need to lean on others and have others cover you. But you really have to have these relationships forged with strength before you go out on a limb yourself. Loyalty and dependability matters. You'll generate some heat -- and you'll want others who are well grounded and can deflect some, take some and ride the waves with a long-term zeal to giggle at this in 10 years together. Power and motivations from people can be a freak out for many. You've got to dance with trouble makers -- but keep them contained. Get their comments and input on paper.
I think we need to make history, not be a slave of it. A voter / citizen / public outrage is brewing. It is going to take a lot of folks to fan these fires. You can play a role.
Even when running isn't a good fit for you -- there are lots of other ways to help.
HOSTING CANDIDATE nights for all candidates, a PAN PARTISAN forum on issues, with church groups, with civic clubs, with library groups, with industry friends is WELL WORTH THE EFFORTS and good will that results. Collaborate with the local League of Women Voters (low priority), a radio station, a student government group, neighborhood groups, a union. Then put out the call to ALL CANDI ATES. Put the light on them -- and some will melt. That's good work. That's heavy lifting that comes from folks who are NOT candidates.
Finally -- if you want to get bold -- run for special elections. Run in a primary against an opponent -- and team up on the incumbent from the other party.
Do outreach to other candidates in the area in in different areas. I was running for PA Senate and really did so as I wanted to help with Russ Diamond for Governor and Bill Ogden for State Rep. The interplay among different candidates going for different seats in the same cycles can present a lot of fun, insights and dynamics for change.
I pulled out of the race after 32 minutes before the judge. But -- I couldn't be on the hook for court costs and attorney fees and all that B.S. from their playbook. But, this time they thought to challenge me as they knew I was a threat. There is some victory in that -- because I'm still not in debt. I bet my opponent spent $20,000 just to cause me grief. I'm still on the high road, and not in the red.
Finally, you never know what the future will bring. People die. DAs do file charges.
We all suffer greatly when there are no choices on the ballot on election days.
I've got an approach with finances and being a candidate.
Rule #1. Don't burn out.
Rule #2. Don't spend what you don't have.
Keep balance in your life. Keep your day job. Keep your spouse, kids and care to your aging relations in good order. And, be prudent.
 |
| From people & vips |
Announce early. Make time on your side. It is hard to play catch-up when you are so far behind but have so little to invest and such a long spot at getting elected.
If you want the job and the pay check -- get into the dominant party.
I know I can't win the seat as a Libertarian. But, I can win the war on ideas. I can win on the Internet. I can win on certain media cycles. I can win in a debate. And, many of my ideas are going to be embraced by my challengers -- if not this time, then next.
I can get into the race and make the race affordable for others.
I can get into the race and shape the discussions. When something stupid is said -- it won't be repeated when I'm in the race. They'll have to come up with new material -- and they do -- the next night or press release. I can counter then and there -- at the candidate forum. Or, with a press release of my own. And, I document things for history's sake once they get elected -- as my job isn't done after election day.
I think a challenger needs to fight the campaign on both the rational and emotional fronts. There are times for each. Schmooze at a social event. Be academic at the times when its called for. Know your audience. Go with the flow. Give respect -- and then you get respect.
Finally -- the internet is where we need to thrive.
There used to be a concept of the "paper campaign" or "paper candidate." Now it is a digital candidate.
And with podcasting and blogs -- this can be a time to put up a good challenge without going to spend a life's fortune.
Get a trusted crew of others. TRUSTED crew. Your friends hurt you worse than your enemies. Everyone needs "running mates." You'll need to lean on others and have others cover you. But you really have to have these relationships forged with strength before you go out on a limb yourself. Loyalty and dependability matters. You'll generate some heat -- and you'll want others who are well grounded and can deflect some, take some and ride the waves with a long-term zeal to giggle at this in 10 years together. Power and motivations from people can be a freak out for many. You've got to dance with trouble makers -- but keep them contained. Get their comments and input on paper.
I think we need to make history, not be a slave of it. A voter / citizen / public outrage is brewing. It is going to take a lot of folks to fan these fires. You can play a role.
Even when running isn't a good fit for you -- there are lots of other ways to help.
HOSTING CANDIDATE nights for all candidates, a PAN PARTISAN forum on issues, with church groups, with civic clubs, with library groups, with industry friends is WELL WORTH THE EFFORTS and good will that results. Collaborate with the local League of Women Voters (low priority), a radio station, a student government group, neighborhood groups, a union. Then put out the call to ALL CANDI ATES. Put the light on them -- and some will melt. That's good work. That's heavy lifting that comes from folks who are NOT candidates.
Finally -- if you want to get bold -- run for special elections. Run in a primary against an opponent -- and team up on the incumbent from the other party.
Do outreach to other candidates in the area in in different areas. I was running for PA Senate and really did so as I wanted to help with Russ Diamond for Governor and Bill Ogden for State Rep. The interplay among different candidates going for different seats in the same cycles can present a lot of fun, insights and dynamics for change.
 |
| From people & vips |
Finally, you never know what the future will bring. People die. DAs do file charges.
We all suffer greatly when there are no choices on the ballot on election days.
Cover story: Local Politics Goes to the Blogs - Main Feature - Main Feature - Pittsburgh City Paper
More blog buzz.
I talked about this article when I was speaking today to the Senior Citizens at the South Side Market House. I was there to recruit 'running mates' and talk politics. And, I handed out about 40 CDs with music and message about standing for office and the pending political races in 2007 for the city and region.
Many at the Senior Center won't read blogs. But, they'll listen to my CD. And, I played a snip of some music to them there as well. And, many of the seniors do read and know what's going on.
Pittsburgh - Local Politics Goes to the Blogs - Main Feature - Main Feature - Pittsburgh City Paper Local Politics Goes to the BlogsI'm listed in the web edition -- only because I left a comment or two in the talk-back.
I talked about this article when I was speaking today to the Senior Citizens at the South Side Market House. I was there to recruit 'running mates' and talk politics. And, I handed out about 40 CDs with music and message about standing for office and the pending political races in 2007 for the city and region.
Many at the Senior Center won't read blogs. But, they'll listen to my CD. And, I played a snip of some music to them there as well. And, many of the seniors do read and know what's going on.
When is Motznik Going To Resign?
It wasn’t that long ago, perhaps immediately following the last presidential election, but Pittsburgh City Council member Jim Motznik was a panel guest on the Ann Devlin-version of NightTalk, and promised to resign from public office to work on Senator Hillary Clinton’s campaign, should she run for President.
Now I like Mr. Motznik personally. I’m still perplexed as to why he sprinted away from a Channel 4 cameraman a few years ago after being posed a rather pedestrian political question. He’s always been polite and friendly in the neighborhood, flush with folksy tête-à -tête, a sewer-boot wearing Paul Harvey if you will, albeit with only a third of a vulgarity. He’s a Renaissance man for the new age.
I remember the statement about giving up his day job for the betterment of our country as vividly as yesterday and thought it peculiar even then. Why would he have make such a declaration, even though it was the Ann Devlin version of NightTalk, which promised to deliver upwards of a dozen viewers at any given time, including me for at least one minute on any given evening.
I was always amazed that the show perpetually seemed to be in rerun. We’re not talking about the “good” NightTalk with John McIntyre, an above-it-all elitist with a fairly sublime sense of humor and quick wit, but the tumbleweed installment. Ms. Devlin appeared to have the cushiest post in all of local television, and yet the show would go for weeks upon weeks without new editions. It was kind of like “Lost” with decades between new installments…but I digress.
Anyhoo, as we all know, Mrs. Clinton appeared in a web-based video to “chat” about her run for presidency, a campaign everyone knew started the minute she and the former president smashed their last collector’s plate on the way out the door of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
In the video, the Senator from New York via Arkansas and Illinois looked as comfortable as an Iranian hostage in 1979, emboldened by the muscular Jimmy Carter administration. Like some of those 63 diplomats and three U.S. citizens who were shown on tape, Mrs. Clinton exuded confident, assured that the “take no prisoners” Carter domination would soon kick down the door for freedom. Her titular “Smartest Woman in the World” gimmick would assuredly surpass even those steel-enforced days of Carter supremacy, where money flowed through the streets much like the omnipresent oil and coal mining jobs.
With that type of euphoria right around the corner (despite Carter and the first President Clinton’s salad days, minority home ownership is only now at its highest levels ever), it’s imperative that we only draft our best and brightest to assure another eight years of intern-groping and Linda Bloodworth-Thomason menopause humor.
We need Barbara Streisand to be relevant again…wait, she was never relevant outside of Broadway and Tinseltown (and yes, I am referring to the David Dukes/Kristy Swanson vehicle from 1997)…but I continue to digress.
We as a country need to assure an upswing in collective virtues and values first started by the highly-successful Governor Tony Soprano/Rendell, where taxes are nearly non-existent and competence—from the Lieutenant Governor position on down to the guy who sweeps up after the High Holy Priest’s daily cheesesteak—is once again on par with those heady Carter administration days where peanuts were as precious as the Peso.
When will Mr. Motznik hand in his two-week notice and help prepare the world for Marilyn vos Savant’s more impressively intellectual sister?
Only time will tell, but it should be any day now.
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